Though they are one of the largest factions in the Syrian Civil War, and hold almost the entire Hasakeh Province, the PYD/YPG were not invited to the talks, on the demand of Turkey, who insists they are terrorists. Both Russia and the US had sought their inclusion, with Russia suggesting they might be able to participate later even if they didn’t get in the first day.

PYD co-president Saleh Muslim was among the delegation sent to Geneva, and while the group was carefully sequestered from the pro-Saudi “Higher Negotiations Committee” it was hoped they might find a spot at the table, given how few factions managed to show up in the first place.

Turkey’s refusal to allow any Kurds at the talks, along with resistance from other rebel factions, who insist the Kurds’ focus on fighting ISIS means they aren’t proper rebels, ultimately kept them out of the talks, which means the first round will be between the Syrian government and a coalition representing a handful of mostly trivial rebel factions.

Author: Jason Ditz

These talks will be about Assad but not ISIS. That is the Russian main focus, and Turkey, and Saudi, but just a preliminary step to what the US wants against ISIS. They must get what they want before we even talk about what we want. Meanwhile, they want opposites.

The only way this could work would be for the US and Russia to make a deal, and then cut off the support for everyone else.

The problem with that is our permanent state of ex-Cold War types won’t talk to Putin, they want a Russian regime change.

Demi Boone

The Kurd’s are represented by the Governments in the countries which the reside, namely, Turkey, Syria and Iraq. Why should lip service be paid to the Kurd’s and not the Assyrians, Christians and other biblical era groups whom the Kurd’s are displacing? The Kurd’s only fight to displace the people of the region in hopes of creating some Kurdish dream State. Of course they want these regions as they are rich in oil and Agriculture which would be stealing precious resources from Iraq and Syria.

Adriaan de Leeuw

turkey is at war with the Kurds so they are useless in making any reasonable comment about them! As for Terrorist organisations in th mix the US ad Saudis are funding Al Nusra Front AKA Al QAEDA in Iraq and for them not to be considered Terrorists would beggar belief! there are others as well, Of course Turkey itself has been buying oil from ISIS and hence funding them for years! Israel is giving medical aid to Al Nusra as well, so they are aiding Terrorist groups! Demi you are worried about Christians yet it is the US funding of extremist Muslims like Al Nusra and its offshoot ISIS that have killed and Kidnapped Christians and blew of their churches, noting that no 2000 yo churches were blown up under Assad or in fact any other Muslims in the last 2000 years just this new lot funded as I said by the US and the Saudis! Seriously WHY are the Saudis even at the table they don’t have a border even remotely close by!